The pre-trip checklist that has your back

Going on vacation wasn’t something I did a lot of as a kid, so now that I’m older, my boyfriend and I are making up for lost time and traveling as much as we can. Rather…as much as his job allows…

And our next stop is Cabo!

So the lists have begun. As the Type A planner I am, I have one reminding me what to pack, what to do before we leave, what to restock in my toiletries kit, etc. Safe to say we’re prepared for anything, so if you also have a trip in the near future, listen up:

The week of:

Book any reservations you care about —  restaurants, excursions, beach clubs. The best spots fill up!

Check your phone plan —  international day passes are usually $10–15/day. Yes, it’s worth it, but you can usually find cheaper plans through Airalo.

Refill any prescriptions —  double, triple, quadruple check that you have enough for your trip. Even some extras!

Two days before:

Do a light fridge clean-out —  throw out or eat anything that will go bad. You don’t want to come home to a smelly kitchen.

Set your out-of-office —  I always forget this one.

Charge everything —  AirPods, portable charger, cameras, Kindle, etc.

The night before:

Lay out your outfits —  do not skip this. Otherwise you will either over or under pack and both are bad…

If you have the time, patience, and energy, I would highly recommend trying on every outfit you’ve come up with and photographing it. Not only does this eliminate any look that doesn’t quite fit the way you expected, but then when you’re standing in your hotel room at 7:00p trying to get dressed, you know exactly what to put on.

Pack your bag completely —  everything in and bag zipped.

Tidy your place before bed —  coming home to a clean space after a trip is one of the greatest luxuries that costs nothing (full list below).

Download what you need offline for the plane —  Spotify playlist, Netflix movie, Hulu show. 

The day of:

Eat a real breakfast —  not a granola bar grabbed on your way out… A yogurt bowl, eggs, or even a bagel. Your flight anxiety will thank you.

Do your skincare before you leave —  makeup or no makeup, load up on the SPF. UV radiation increases with altitude.

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Pre-trip Home Checklist:

Living room:

• Vacuum
• Reset the couch
• Put away anything that doesn’t belong there
• Shut the curtains

Kitchen:

• Wipe down counters
• Empty & clean sink
• Empty dishwasher
• Wipe down stove
• Clean out fridge

Bedroom:

• Vacuum
• Change the sheets
• Clear nightstands (go wash all those cups…)
• Close the windows
• Shut the curtains

Bathroom:

• Replace towels
• Wipe mirrors

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Toiletries:

*if you’re flying to your destination, all products to be in 3.4-ounce (100ml) containers or smaller*

• Face
  • Cleanser
  • Vitamin C serum
  • Moisturizer (a lighter one if it’s hot at your destination)
  • SPF
  • Lip balm
  • Face wash
  • Makeup wipes or micellar water
• Body
  • Body wash
  • Body lotion
  • SPF
  • Razor
  • Shaving cream
• Hair
  • Shampoo + conditioner
  • Hair oil
  • Dry shampoo
  • Slick stick
  • Heat protectant
  • Hair brush
  • Hair ties & claw clips
  • Curler
  • Straightener 
• Makeup
  • Foundation
  • Concealer
  • Powder
  • Bronzer
  • Blush
  • Brow pen
  • Eyeshadow
  • Eyeliner
  • Lash curler
  • Mascara
  • Lippies
  • Setting spray
• Extras
  • Tweezers
  • Nail file
  • Nail glue for press-ons (if applicable)
  • Q-tips
  • Travel perfume
  • Deodorant
  • Any prescription meds + a few extras
  • Pain reliever, antacid, antihistamine
  • Feminine products

Personal Bag Necessities:

The BEIS Mini Weekender is my go-to personal item when flying.

• Laptop & charger
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Kindle
• Phone charger
• Makeup wipes
• Face lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Sanitizing wipes
• Chapstick
• Sour candy (helps with my anxiety)

Clothes + Accessories:

This one will obviously depend on your destination, time of year, activities, etc. But aside from those, here is what I make sure I have no matter what.

• Sweat set (this hoodie from GAP + the matching sweats are my favorite right now)
• Slippers to walk around the hotel room in
• Crew socks, also for the hotel, because I hate being barefoot
• PJs
• Strapless bra
• CAKES circles

Okay, I’m done! Sure this may seem like a lot to plan beforehand, but it has saved me countless times. Good preparation means you’ll have a relaxing vacation!

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